CRL News
RETURNING STARS, EXCITING NEWCOMERS FEATURE IN CANTERBURY BULLS 2024 MEN’S SQUAD
The Canterbury Bulls squad for the 2024 South Island Men’s Championship has been named, boasting some familiar faces, returning stalwarts and exciting newcomers. Fifteen players from Sunday’s epic CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership grand final between Hornby Panthers and Halswell Hornets have been included as the Bulls begin preparations for the competition, which…
Read MoreFAST-STARTING PANTHERS HOLD OFF HORNETS RALLY TO CLINCH PREMIERSHIP
Hornby Panthers have sent their departing trio of club legends – coach Jed Lawrie, and evergreens Corey Lawrie (if he indeed hangs up the boots) and James Baxendale – out in fitting style, taking out the Pat Smith Trophy with nerve-shattering 20-18 CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership grand final victory over a gallant…
Read MoreEAGLES HOLD ON FOR CANTERBURY CUP TRIUMPH
Eastern Eagles have outlasted Halswell Hornets in the CRL ISC Sports Canterbury Cup grand final 14-6. The Eagles scored the only two tries of the second half to subdue the minor premiership-winning Hornets, reversing the clubs’ major semi-final result from a fortnight earlier. A frantic opening period featured missed opportunities, punishing defence and an electric…
Read MoreSWANS’ SECOND-HALF SURGE SECURES CRL WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP
Sydenham Swans buried the disappointment of back-to-back grand final heartbreakers in 2022-23 to claim the CRL Bartercard Women’s Premiership with a high-quality 20-12 victory over Hornby Panthers in the decider at Ngā Puna Wai. After a tense, low-scoring opening half, the Swans – led by brilliant halfback Kyla Lynch-Brown – scored three unanswered tries after…
Read MoreBULLDOGS OVERWHELM BARBARIANS FOR DIVISION ONE TITLE
Northern Bulldogs broke down Ashburton Barbarians’ impressive early resistance to run away with the CRL Division One grand final 40-20 at Ngā Puna Wai. Experienced campaigners Nathaniel Tirikatene and Cameron Godfrey both scored two tries in a dominant Bulldogs display. The bruising Barbarians made an outstanding start, with winger David Toala blazing away for a…
Read MoreHIGH-ACHIEVING FEAVERS LOOKS FORWARD TO SECOND CANTERBURY GF
Jack Feavers’ appointment to his second straight CRL Whitehead Plumbing & Gas Men’s Premiership grand final comes on the back of recent milestones that reflect his rapid progress in the refereeing ranks. Over the past couple of years Blenheim-based Feavers has racked up thousands upon thousands of kilometres to referee senior Canterbury Rugby League matches…
Read MoreYOUTHFUL PANTHERS OUT TO CAP STUNNING SEASON WITH GF VICTORY
Hornby has taken the CRL Bartercard Women’s Premiership by storm in the club’s first season back in the competition, culminating in a grand final appearance this Sunday after ending Linwood’s reign in last week’s sudden-death semi. Youthful exuberance and attacking flair have been trademarks of the Panthers’ campaign – traits they won’t be trying to…
Read MoreSHORTHANDED SWANS RELYING ON EXPERIENCE TO REGAIN WOMEN’S TITLE
If Sydenham Swans bounce back from consecutive CRL Bartercard Women’s Premiership grand final heartbreakers by inscribing their name on the trophy for 2024, it will be a nod to the squad’s experience and depth after losing a host of key players. Former Kiwi Ferns rep Bunty Kuruwaka-Crowe, a multiple grand final player of the match…
Read MoreCRL PREMIERSHIP DECIDERS: A GRAND HISTORY
The Pat Smith Trophy has been Canterbury Rugby League’s ultimate prize for more than half a century, awarded to the winning side in each year’s Grand Final since a playoffs system replaced the first-past-the-post format to decide the premiership in 1967. Sunday’s Men’s Premiership decider between Hornby Panthers and Halswell Hornets on Happy Hire CRL…
Read MoreHORNETS SOAKING UP GRAND FINAL BREAKTHROUGH – BUT THE JOB’S NOT DONE
Qualifying for the club’s first Pat Smith Trophy Challenge in a decade – on top of their Canterbury Cup side also reaching the decider – and ending Linwood Keas’ quest for a 10th straight grand final, it’s already been a watershed season for Halswell Hornets. After getting past the bogey of three consecutive preliminary final…
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